Nathan Hubbards is a percussionist, composer, improvisor and instrument builder, writing music for a wide range of ensembles and situations. His work shows a decided interest in exploring the possibilities of sound and embracing the passing of time - this interest in sound can be seen in everything from his extended sound language as an improvisor to his homemade and found instruments. The different rates of passing time become relevant as both a rhythmic impetus and defining element in his compositions and their changing definitions of form, shape and outcome. Musically his explorations range from solo improvisations through small group collaborations to large scale compositions for his twenty-six member large ensemble, Skeleton Key Orchestra. As a composer his works range from solo pieces to medium scale works for a variety of ensembles, works for tape, electronics and acoustic instruments, large works for orchestras, creative orchestras and traditional big bands as well as pieces involving text, voice and other media. In the last several years Hubbard has been more involved with musical situations incorporating acoustics, environments and field recordings. His work as an artist can be seen on several of his CD covers and his work as an engineer and producer can be heard on almost all of his recordings. 

Hubbard has presented his music across North America and bits of the European Union, was listed by San Diego Citybeat 2013 as one of eight top drummers in San Diego and won the 2014 San Diego Music Award for "Best Jazz Album" for his five volume Encinitas and Everything After. His large ensemble double disc Furiously Dreaming won the 2017 San Diego Music Award for "Best Jazz Album" and was listed as "Best Local Jazz release 2017" by NBC San Diego. His release Lattice Trust was awarded "Album of the Year 2017" by Avant Music News.
His current projects include solo performances, duo collaborations with Michigan based percussionist Curtis Glatter, LA based bassist Steuart Liebig (toques), and woodwind legend Vinny Golia, the "concise songforms" of the Gobo Trio, various ad hoc jazz groups performing music in clubs and bars, the "breakbeat meets free jazz" quartet The Scorpion Decides, the cross platform populist music of Translation Has Failed, and the large ensemble Nathan Hubbard/Skeleton Key Orchestra. Under the production name Shadowfigure, Hubbard has been releasing breakbeat inspired hiphop/beat music for almost two decades, most notably with the groups Parker Meridien and Tall:Shadow.

In addition to all this work, Hubbard has performed and/or recorded with artists such as Jacob Adler, Roger Aplon, David Borgo, Paul Carman, Castanets, Alex Cline, Anthony Davis, Michael Dessen, Mark Dresser, Tim DuRoche, Brad Dutz, Harris Eisenstadt, Marcos Fernandes, Vinny Golia, Phillip Greenlief, Rick Helzer, Bill Horist, Mike Keneally, Paul Kikuchi, Ted Killian, Steuart Liebig, George Lewis, Doug Lunn, Noah Phillips, Garth Powell, Rafter, Jason Robinson, Tim Root, Scott Rosenberg, Jim Ryan, Chris Schlarb, Moe! Staiano, GE Stinson, Kenseth Thibideau, Kris Tiner, Bertram Turetzky, and Phillip Wachsmann.

"Nathan Hubbard, a revelation of the California scene in the past years" Jazzosphere (France)

"...Hubbard comes out of this one a born leader with a clear and original vision." François Couture/All Music Guide

"This music does for me what I want from good, challenging music. I am fully engaged as a listener from moment to moment, eager to catch the development of a motif or transition." Paul Hormick/San Diego Troubadour

"A tour de force from this San Diego drum dynamo, whose dazzling fusion of avant jazz, electronica, Afro-Cuban and more is showcased on this two-CD set by a talent-rich group that numbers up to 28 members." George Varga San Diego Union-Tribune 

"Creative and innovative musical experiments, smart and surprising musical decisions and musical expressions also are the main elements of composition. Improvisations are full of contrasts – here acoustic elements and melodies are masterfully combined with electronics, computer sounds and field recordings. Even though those music elements are completely different from each other they are very well combined in one composition. Musicians creative and innovative playing, high variety of music styles and elements make effective and original sound of this album." Avant Scene Blog

"Hubbard's drumming is pure 21st Century stuff...An accomplished composer who's also well-versed in contemporary orchestral percussion, indie rock, and more conventional types of jazz, Hubbard is capable of moving in any direction at any given moment." Dave Wayne/All About Jazz

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